John’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Brooks 2012

Today marks 14 days Post Op with Dr. Brooks. I woke up in the OR as they were finishing the glue and putting on the bandage. As they wheeled me into Recovery, Dr. Brooks came over and handed me my X-Ray and simply said, "Perfect." I love it when a Dr. says that. He was obviously proud of the surgery and placement and knew what I wanted my activity level to be Post Op.

Just had my ultrasound and everything is fine so far, no blood clots. I was in Euclid hospital for 2 nights and went home. Took about 1/8 of the pain meds I was prescribed and haven’t had any for 4 days. Have been back in the office for a week and have been walking about 1 mi. 3 times per week. Was on a stationary bike for 30 min on Sat. I am following the 75% weight bearing rule very closely and doing my exercises less than 3 times/day simply due to my activity level. My wife has not had to help me get dressed and I have been able to put my own socks on and tie my shoes since day 6 Post Op. A large part of my quick recovery has to do with being a Triathlete. I was biking, swimming and running up until 1 day before surgery just to keep my muscle tone. It paid off! The PT staff said that they had not seen anyone to date have as much ROM as I did before discharge. I have been sleeping on my side since day 5 and today I get to send those "stupid" inflatable socks back! LOL

I don’t want to make a super long post first time, but so far, I could not be happier, except not being able to drive for 6 weeks! That is the worst part of all. (except the side effects of the pain meds – constipation, really bad) I think we’re past that though and I am now looking forward to the passing of 4 more weeks so I can have my follow up and get rid of the crutches, get back in the pool and also start driving again!

December 18, 2012

I had the antero-lateral surgical approach. No muscles cut that I’m aware of. Hence, a speedy recovery. I also started to drive today. Nothing heavy, just around town. Makes it much easier on my lovely wife rather than dropping me off at Starbucks (Daycare) early and then coming to take me to the office etc. I have a Jeep Wrangler which sits kind of high so I lift my operated leg with my hand then into the vehicle. Since it is my right leg, all I have to do is rest it on the floor and hit the gas and brake while I use my left for the clutch. Being very careful, but it sure makes things easier.

December 29, 2012

4 wks post op this week! Can’t believe how I can tell the progress is moving forward daily. Muscles are gaining strength. Still have a little limp that is simply due to stiffness being worked out. Stretches are going well and I’m still not pushing it. Well, maybe pushing it a little. I did use the snow blower to clean the drive today…with no problems. Just took it nice and slow and let the self-propelled snow blower do the work. Looking forward to my follow-up visit on Jan. 8th when I can toss the crutches er, I mean cane!

January 8, 2013

Had my 6wk post-op follow-up with Phil Gollnick at Dr. Brooks’ office today. X-rays looked perfect he said. Everything is still in position just like Dr. Brooks left it and no problem with bone/femoral neck.

I didn’t even try to pretend I was still using crutches so I went in with my cane, which I stopped using 5 days ago. I still have a tiny limp which will be fixed with a little exercise. I can return to swimming laps (limited at first) and I can also start riding my bike as long as I limit it to about 15 miles. 15 miles is a warm up! This weekend is supposed to be warm so I will probably get on my brand new Blue Triad EX. Will ride on flat ground with minimal effort. I can also get back in the gym and now finally the whirlpool, all without pain!

He said to take it easy, which I will. I will try to listen to my body except when it craves a full workout! LOL. He wasn’t worried about my activity but stated that maybe 5% of all BHR patients who have problems have them in the first 6 months and admitted that their office, compared to others who do BHR, is VERY conservative. Even Dr. McMinn has folks off crutches after 3 weeks so I guess I’m in good company. Once again, couldn’t be more pleased with my procedure and outcome!

February 18, 2013

I’m now 12 weeks post op and almost all tenderness is gone. No more limp. No more uncomfortable sleeping positions at all. I have my full walking stride back. Am back in the gym but only doing leg presses with an empty sled mostly for ROM exercise. Still resisting the temptation to jog and am swimming 1 mile workouts 3 times a week. No noise from the BHR, no catches, no weird feeling. Have been massaging the incision to break up any scar tissue and it is working well. And taking ZERO meds!

Overall, still 100% satisfied with everything!

March 16, 2013

15 1/2 week update:

Everything still going very well so far. Still had a minor limp after sitting for a while. Have been walking aggressively and even adding some extremely light jogging in the mix for very short periods of time. Believe it or not, that regimen has just about removed the limp as it has strengthened the muscles which needed it. I am not recommending that anyone go my route, I am only chronicling my journey. I full well know that most take a far more conservative route than I, and I know the risks. No one wants to go in for a revision less than me, so I monitor my activity very closely. I have read most of the home going protocols BHR Docs give, and they do vary, so I know I’m not way out of bounds for the majority. As soon as the weather breaks, I am looking forward to spending more time on the bike!

April 11, 2013

NEW milestone: Today marks weeks 19 post op! I ran, if you can call it that at 10min/mi, for almost 10 mi last week. 5 miles one day and broke up the other 5 in 2 different runs. Nothing aggressive, front strike strides just working on endurance. Been biking some when the weather is nice as well 20-30 mi. It feels great but I’m resisting the temptation to go faster so far!

First triathlon of the season in May, (Rev3 Knoxville) which will be just about my 6 month mark. It will primarily be a training day since I’ll be the last place finisher on purpose to help those who may be struggling to finish.

June 11, 2013

I am just past 6 mos Post Op and wanted to post what I’ve been able to do since I started training again. NOTE: This is not recommended for anyone to go at the pace I’ve gone. I’m just chronicling my recovery and what I’ve done. Follow your recovery protocol.

I run 53 mi. I’ve biked 500 mi. I’ve swam 25 mi.

None of it aggressive. Running is 10 min/mi or just a little under at 9:30/mi. I am up 20 mph avg on my bike. Swimming is 2:00/100m

Pain is gone. Limp is gone. No noise. Internal scar tissue is greatly minimized through massaging it. My quick step has returned and I can take long & strong strides w/o any discomfort! I am truly blessed!

October 4, 2013

Sept 6-8 I ran a 5k, competed in a Spring Tri and took 1st in my age group. 1:25…not a fast time but I received an invitation from USAT to compete in the Age Group Nationals in Wisconsin next year because of my win! Not bad for 9mos post op. Then I did a 1/2 Ironman aqua-bike (swim-run only) the next day and then went back out on the course to help the last place bikers. (22mi out) Then went out on the run course and ran 7-8mi with the last place runner to help him finish! All on a brand new hip! I am so blessed. Sure I was sore thereafter. But it was a normal post-activity soreness not associated with my hip surgery.

My recovery route has been almost perfect. Not too fast, not too slow. Steady and listening to my body. This is one of the major reasons I had this particular surgery, so I could continue to compete. I love the healthy life-style. Next year I’ll be in the 60-65 age group. Should be a great season! Can’t wait!

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